West Berkshire District Council has developed a draft Cultural and Heritage Strategy which sets out their vision for the next 10 years to ensure that culture and heritage continues to be an important part of everyone's daily life in West Berkshire.
The vision is to have a sustainable, resilient and thriving cultural heritage sector that supports creativity and innovation, while bringing significant benefits to the economy and all our communities.
As a district we have a wealth of excellent cultural and heritage organisations and a unique historic environment. This draft strategy aims to build on its existing strengths and has identified a number of high-level objectives to be achieved by the council and key stakeholders working together.
To promote and develop our cultural heritage, we have worked with our stakeholders to develop the following five objectives as part of the draft strategy:
- Ensure our cultural and heritage organisations thrive and are as sustainable as possible.
- Contribute to the improvement of the health and well-being of all our residents.
- Improve access to cultural education, learning and employment.
- Protect and promote our unique cultural history, heritage and environment.
- Increase domestic and international tourism to generate income, investment and increase economic resilience.
Cllr Howard Woollaston, Executive Member for Public Health & Community Wellbeing, Leisure and Culture, said:
"Culture and heritage touch everybody's lives and we are fortunate to have an abundance of arts organisations, events and activities and a wealth of beautiful and historic places and landscapes to enjoy in West Berkshire.
"This draft strategy has been developed with a range of local culture and heritage organisations to celebrate and promote what we have and set some objectives to make it even better over the next ten years.
"Culture and heritage is a significant part of what makes West Berkshire a great place to live, work, invest in and visit"
With the recent pandemic proving to be a threat to cultural organisations large and small, regionally, nationally and internationally, a clear strategy and plan is needed now more than ever.
Make sure you have your say by taking part in the survey. The consultation on the draft strategy will begin on Monday 7 September 2020 and will be open for 6 weeks from this date, closing on Sunday 18 October 2020.